Support assembly for a drop leaf

ABSTRACT

A fixed top, for example a top of a dinner table ( 11 ) has a drop leaf ( 12 ) fastened by a hinge ( 13 ). The support assembly for the drop leaf consists of two links, one of which ( 16, 17 ) fastened to the fixed top ( 11 ) and the other ( 20, 21 ) fastened to the drop leaf ( 12 ), which are coupled together by a hinge ( 24 ) so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung back to a position approximately parallel with and in back of the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the extension drop leaf is swung out to extend the fixed top. A releasable locking link ( 26, 27 ) is arranged to lock the links in the position in which the extension drop leaf forms an extension of the fixed top.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a support assembly for a drop leaf fastened by a hinge to a fixed top.

OBJECT OF INVENTION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of invention to provide a support assembly for a drop leaf of a fixed top, for example a drop leaf of a drop leaf table, which provides stability and permits for the drop leaf to be swung in under and behind the fixed top.

This is achieved by two links—one of which fastened to the fixed top and the other of which fastened to the drop leaf—which are coupled together by a hinge so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung in to a position approximately parallel with and in behind the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the drop leaf is swung out to extend the fixed top, and a releasable locking device arranged to lock the links in a position where the drop leaf forms the extension of the fixed top.

The drop leaf will be very stable in its extended position, which permits for the use of a long drop leaf without instability and permits for the drop leaf being swung in under the fixed top. The fixed top can for example be a worktop or the top of a dinner table.

The invention is defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view slightly from below of one end of a table top with a leaf folded up.

FIG. 2 is the same assembly during the beginning of the folding in of the leaf.

FIG. 3 is the same assembly slightly from above during the folding in of the leaf.

FIG. 4 is the same assembly from the side when the leaf is entirely folded in.

FIG. 5 shows separately and at a greater scale a locking device which is part of the assembly shown in the preceding figures.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5 with a detail removed.

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 6 but shows some details in other positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-4 show one end of a table top 11 with a drop leaf 12 mounted by a hinge 13. The legs of the table are not shown but attachments 14, 15 for two table legs are indicated. A link formed by two arms 16, 17 is fastened by a hinge 18 to a fastening plate 19 fastened to the table top 11. Another link, formed by two arms 20, 21, is fastened by a hinge 22 to a fastening plate 23 fastened to the leaf 12. The ends of the two links 16, 17 and 20, 21 are coupled together by a hinge 24. In FIG. 2, a locking device is shown which is formed by a member 26 fastened to the hinge 13 and another member 27 fastened to the hinge 24. These two members can be locked together to form a locking link which locks the links 16, 17 and 20, 21 together in a V-shape when the leaf is swung up to form an extension of the table top as shown in FIG. 1. When the two members 26, 27 of the locking device is separated as shown in FIG. 2, the leaf can be swung down and further be folded in under the table, that is in back of the table top, so that it will be parallel or approximately parallel with the table top behind it as shown in FIG. 4 and so that it can be hooked up in that position by a non-illustrated hooking device. The two links 16, 17 and 20, 21 form together such an acute angle that they can be considered approximately parallel.

In order to be swung in under the table, the leaf must fit between the table legs. The leaf could for example be narrower than the table top or the table legs could be placed outside the table top. Alternatively, a centre post could be used instead of legs.

The locking link 26, 27 is separately shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. Its upper portion 26 is mounted to the axis of the hinge 13 and its lower portion 27 to the axis of the hinge 24. The lower portion of the locking link is held in position by a ring 28 which is angularly positioned by having pins touching the links 16 and 20. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the locking link is shown in its locking position where its lower member 27 has a latching hook 30 which engages a notch 31 in its upper member 26 and is biased to this engagement position by a spring 32. To counteract uneven load, there is a supporting anvil 33. In FIG. 6, the lower member 27 is removed and only its latching hook 30 and spring 32 is shown so that the function is evident. FIG. 7 shows the latching hook turned out of the engagement position so that the portion 27 with the latching hook begins to move downwards. An operating rod 35 is coupled to a lifter 36 for lifting the latching hook 30 into its released position shown in FIG. 7. The operating rod is controlled with a handle 34.

The locking device could be embodied in other manners than the shown. Its upper member 26 could for example be directly coupled to the hinge 24, or its lower member 27 could be directly coupled to the hinge 13 or to the table top 11 or the leaf 12. Alternately, a locking link could for example be coupled from the upper hinge 13 and to the links 16,17 respectively 20, 21.

The shown embodiment is only one example of the invention. For example, the plate 19 could be longer and one portion of the hinge 13 could be fastened directly to the plate 19. The plate 23 could also be longer and the other portion of the hinge could be directly fastened to this plate. In that way, the assembly will be a single unit which is fastened partly to the table top, partly to the leaf. The two links 16, 17 and 20, 21 respectively are shown formed by two arms each, but this is not necessary, they could be formed by single arms or by more than two arms.

The assembly could not only be used in drop-leaf tables but also for other applications where a fixed top need to be extended by a drop leaf. The described example shows a horizontal top, but the invention is not restricted to this example. 

1. A support assembly for a drop leaf fastened by a hinge to a fixed top, characterised by two links, one of which fastened to the fixed top and the other fastened to the drop leaf, which are coupled together by a hinge so that the links become approximately parallel or form an acute angle together when the drop leaf is swung back into a position approximately parallel with and in back of the fixed top and so that the links form a blunt angle when the drop leaf is swung out to form an extension of the fixed top, and a releasable locking device arranged to lock the links in the position where the drop leaf forms an extension of the fixed top.
 2. The support assembly in claim 1, characterised in that the locking device is a locking link.
 3. The support assembly in claim 2, characterised in that the locking link is coupled between the two hinges.
 4. The support assembly in claim 3, characterised in that the locking link comprises a first portion coupled to one of the hinges and a second portion coupled to the other hinge and a latching device to lock the two portions together.
 5. The support assembly in claim 1 applied on a drop-leaf table.
 6. The support assembly in claim 2 applied on a drop-leaf table.
 7. The support assembly in claim 3 applied on a drop-leaf table.
 8. The support assembly in claim 4 applied on a drop-leaf table. 